Mechanical starting mechanism for internal-combustion engines.



.I. SEVERA.

MECHANICAL STARTING MECHANISM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 14. 19:5.

1,155,687. A Patented Oct. 5, 1915.

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I. SEVERA.

MECHANIOAL STARTING MECHANISM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED IAN. I4. I9I5.

1,155,687. Patented Oct. 5, 1915.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

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atten /a o COLUMBIA PLAMJHRAPH CO.,WASHINGTON. D c.

J. SEVERA. MECHANICAL STARTING MECHANISM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES. APPLICATION FILED JAN. I4. 1915.

1,155,687. Patented Oct. 5, 1915.

3 SHEETS SHEET 3.

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47 w vtweooeo attozmgo JOSEPH SEVERA, 0F BATTLE CREEK, NEBRASKA.

MECHANICAL STARTING MECHANISM FGR INTERNAL-CO MBUSTION ENGINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Fatented Oct. 5, 191.5.

Application filed January 14, 1915. Serial No. 2,206.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OSEPH Suvnna, a citizen of the United States, residing at Battle Creek in the county of Madison, State of 'IIebraska, and whose post-office address is Battle Creek Nebraska pray that Letters Patent may be granted to me for Improveinentsin Mechanical Starting Mechanism for Internal-Combustion Engines, as set fol-thin the annexed specification.

This invention relates to starting mechanism for internal combustion engines but more particularly to that class of the latter which are spring actuated and particularly applicable to motor propelled vehicles.

Gne object of this invention resides in providing a spring actuated mechanism operativcly connected with an internal combus tion engine wherein through the instrumentality of said mechanism, the engine may be given the necessary starting impulse.

Another and still further object of this invention is to provide aspring actuated motor starting mechanism which will eliminate the cranking difficulties now associated with the starting of such motors as are not self starting, and one which will overcome the annoyances connected with electrical self starting devices such as grounds; broken conductors, etc.

Another and still further object resides in providing a mechanical starting mechanism having means wherein the motor after receiving its starting impulse and building up, may be automatically brought into operation for the purpose of rewinding the spring utilized in starting the same.

iaTlOtllGI' and stillfurther object of this invention is the provision ofsuitable means by which the driving shaft may be disconnected from the driven shaft of the engine. An ther and final object of the invention is to so design a mechanical starting mechanism of the character under consideration as to have the same always in readiness to con vey the necessary rotary movement to the engine for starting purposes as well as to have the same silent in operation and inexpensive to produce so that it may be conveniently attached at a nominal cost to the engine of an automobile not equipped with self starting mechanism.

lVith these and other objects in view, my invention consists of certain novel features of constructiom combination and arrange.

ment of parts to be more particularly hereinafter set forth and claimed.

Referring more particularly to the accompanying drawings in which corresponding parts are indicated by similar reference characters, Figure 1 is a top plan view illustrating the disposition of my improved me chanical starter; Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section taken on the line 2--2 of Fig. 4 with the parts positioned for starting; F 3 is a similar view illustrating the parts in position after starting; Fig. 4. is a horizontal section taken on the line %i of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a longitudinal vertical section taken on the .line 66 of Fig. t; Fig. 7 is a horizontal section taken on the line 77 of Fig. 2; Fig. 8 is a vertical longitudinal section taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 4; Fig. 9 is a detail side elevation of the driving shaft; Figs. 10 and 11 respectively are side elevations partly in section of the cooperating sleeves on the driving shaft; Fig. 12 is a detail side view illustrating the pawl and ratchet mechanism involved in my mechanical starter; Fig. 13 is a detailsection taken on the line Iii-13 of Fig. 8.

In its present embodiment, my invention consists of an internal combustion engine 1 having a shaft 2 provided with a sprocket gear 3, the purpose of which will be more fully hereinafter set forth.

Situated upon the chassis of the vehicle in-juxtaposition to the gas engine 1, is a rectangular casing 4, preferably formed in two parts so that it may be readily assembled and having its lower longitudinal edges provided with outwardly extending apertured flanges 5 through which fastening elements are passed for the purpose of securing the casing to the chassis of the vehicle as will be readily understood without fur ther description.

Journaled within the casing 4 is a shaft 5, one end of said shaft extending through one side of the casing as at 6, the other end being journaled in the bearing '7 formed by the bracket 8 projecting from the opposite side of the casing 4:. V

Loosely mounted upon the shaft 5 is a drum 9 which forms a housing for the spring 10. One end of the spring 10 is connected to the housing 9 as at 11, the other end being connected to the shaft 6 as'at 19.

Alsomounted upon the shaft 6 immediately to the rear of the drum 9, is a brake wheel 13 which is keyed'to the shaft 6 as at 14.

To maintain the brake wheel 13 and the shaft 6 in fixed position, the former is provided with a circumscribing brake band 15. The free ends 15 of the brake band are extended upwardly in parallel relation and are other end being journaled in a bearing 22 carried by the opposite side of the casing as will be readily seen'by 1. eferring to Fig. 4.

Keyed to the shaft 20 intermediate the extensions'15 of the brake band, is a: block 23 adapted when the shaft is rotated, to extend the extensions 15, thus releasing the brake band 15 andpermitting rotation of the brake wheel 12. In order that the shaft 20 may be rotated by the operator of the vehicle, said shaft has one end formed with a crank 24: to which is connected one end of an operating rod 25, the other end of the latter being pivoted to a treadle 26 suitably mounted upon the foot-board of the vehicle inconvenient reach of the foot of the operator, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. 7

To enable the energ 1 of the spring 10 to be conveyed to the motor 1, the shaft 5 is provided on its inner end with a bevel gear 27 which meshes with a gear 28 keyed to the reduced end of a shaft 29, said reduced end of the shaft being journaled in a bearing opening 30 formed in the bracket 8, the other end of said shaft being suitably supported in a sleeve 34 formedon one end of'friction disk 33.

The shaft 29 has one end projecting through the bearingopening 31 extending to the exterior of the casing 4: and provided with aratchet 32 for a purpose hereinafter to be set forth. Loosely mounted upon the shaft29 is the friction disk 33 having the sleeve 34 which projects through the hearing: opening 31 to the exterior of the casing 4. Integrally formedon the free end of the sleeve 34 is a flange 35 having a lateral extension 36, the latter having on the outer surface thereof an annular series of sprocket teeth 37. In this connection, it willbe noted that the flange 35 and its extension 36 form a sprocket gear 37 a. sprocket chain 38 passing around the gear 37' and the gear 3 carried by the engine shaft enables the rotationof the latter when said gear 37 is actuatedunder the influence of the spring 10 as will be more fully hereinafter pointed out.

Projecting laterally from the outer face when the shaft 29 is rotated, its movement will be imparted to the gear 37 to revolve the latter and thus convey the necessary starting impulse to the engine 1. However, as the engine builds up,.the revolutions of its shaft will greatly exceedthose of the shaft 29. so-that the gear 37 will be more rapidly rotated than the ratchet 32, which will accordingly cause the dogs 10 co-become. disengaged from the ratchet 32 leaving the gear 37 freeto rotate upon the shaft 29 as will be readily understood without further description. Also loosely mounted upon the shaft 29 is a complementary friction disk l1. The two disks 41 and 33 are normally maintained in disengaged relation by means of a spring which is inter osed between two collars 43loosely mounted on the shaft 29. Toelirninate friction as far as possible, the collars 43 areprovided with annular grooves which cooperate with, similar grooves formed in the contiguous surfaces of the friction disks to receive anti-friction elements 4%. The friction disk 41 is adapted to cooperate with friction. disks '33 when brought into engagement with the latter to operate certain meohanismtowind the drum as. will be hereinafter stated.

Loosely mounted upon. the reduced end of the shaft 29 is. a. bevel gear as which meshes with a bevel runway 16 secured to y the outer surface. of the drum 9 as clearly shown in Fig. 7. The. bevel gear 15 carries a sleeve. 47. andthis sleeve has left handed threads formed on theexterior surface thereof as. at 48., Threaded upon the sleeve 4:? is. another sleeve 49,: the opposite extremities of which are provided with laterally extending flanges 50,:the purpose of which will be more fully. hereinafter stated. Also, one end of the sleeve 49is provided with an inwardly extending annular flange 51 having therein a key slot 52. into which fits a key 53,.the latter being normally maintained in positionbyacollar 5-1 fixedly secured to the shaft. 29. From this structure, it will be apparent that. when the shaft 29 isrotated, the

key 53 engaged in the key slot 52 of the sleeve49, willcause the'latter to rotate and being pivotally connected as at 56 to the atively connected to the shaft 20 bv a connection 60, one end of which is keyed to the shaft 20, the other connected to the laterally projecting studs formed on a block 62 loosely connected to the exterior end thereof, which block is adapted to contact with the fixedly mounted block 61 and enable the rod 57 to be operated by the shaft 20 as will be readily understood.

Interposed between the lower bearing of the shaft 57 and the disk 58, is a compression spring 63 for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

A shaft 64 journaled in the casing 4 in laterally opposite relation to the friction disks 41 and 33, has one end flexibly connected with the lower end of the rod 57 by a shaft 65, the other end of the rod 64 being journaled in the casing as will be clearly seen upon referring to Fig. 2. From this structure it will be observed that the shaft 64 forms a continuation of the shaft 57 and enables the latter to actuate one of the friction disks as will be more fully hereinafter pointed out.

Vertically supported within the casing 4 by spaced brackets 66, is a crank shaft 67 the crank portion of which is disposed immedi ately-forward of the friction disk 41 so that I when said crank is operated, the friction disk 41 will be forced against friction disk 33, thus compressing spring 42. The lower end of the shaft 67 is formed with an extension 68 having in the outer end thereof, an opening 69 through which extends the trunnion 70 of a block 72. The block 72 is loosely mounted on the shaft 64, its horizontal movement however on said shaft be ing limited by a stop 73. A similar stop 7 4 is also keyed to the shaft 64 in spaced relation to the stop 73 thereon and interposed between the stop 74 and block 72, is a spring 75. This construction enables the rod to be moved a certain distance, depending upon the compressibility of the spring 75 before the block 72 will actuate the extension 68 to revolve the shaft 70, thereby disengaging the crank portion of the latter from the friction disk 41. When, however, the disk 40 is no longer held in contact with the disk 33 by the crank arm 67, said disk will be brought to a disengaged position by means 0f the spring 42 as will be readily understood without further description.

A gear 76 is keyed to a counter-shaft 77 suitably journaled in laterally offset relation to the friction disk 41 which meshes with the teeth 78 formed around the periphery thereof so that when the disk 41 is rotated, its rotary movement will be conveyed to the shaft 77. This shaft 77 has one end connected by a flexible shaft 79 to one end of a shaft 80 which is mounted immediately above one of the bevel runways 81 which extend around the periphery of the drum 9. This shaft 80 carries a worm 82 which cooperates with the bevel runway 81 on the drum 9 so that when the worm 82 is rotated, its movement will be conveyed to the drum to rotate the latter. Another runway 83 circumscribing the drum 9 in spaced relation to the runway 81 thereon, coacts with the pivotally mounted dogs 84 to prevent unwinding of the drum as will be readily understood without further description.

Having described the structure included in my improved starting mechanism, I will now set forth the method of its operation. Assuming the internal combustion engine 1 to be inoperative, to start the same, the operator actuates the treadle 26 which rotating the shaft 20, will cause the extremities of the block 23 to engage the adjacent surfaces of the extensions 15 of the brake band 15, thus expanding said brake band and allowing the brake wheel 13 to rotate under the tension of the spring 10. wheel 13 is keyed to the shaft 6, it will revolve the latter which in turn, will by reason of the mitering gears 27 and 28 on the shafts 6 and 29 respectively, cause rotation of the latter. The rotary movement of the shaft 29 will be conveyed to the sprocket gear 37 through the instrumentality of the ratchet 32 on the end of the shaft 29 and the dogs 40 pivotally mounted on the sprocket gear 37 The revolving sprocket gear 37 being connected with gear 2 on the engine shaft by sprocket 38, will transmit its rotary movement to the shaft of the. engine and thus start the same. When the operator feels the engine running, he releases the foot treadle, thus permitting brake band 15 to embrace the brake wheel 13 and hold the same in fixed position. During the rotation of shaft 29, the sleeve 49 is withdrawn from the inner sleeve 47 and the flange 50 on the outer end of the sleeve 49 contacting with the tripping lever 55, will disengage shoulder 59 from disk 58 on shaft 57 so as to allow the latter to be actuated under the influence of the spring thereon as will. be

As the brake that as said shaft 6% is moved horizontally, it will actuate crank arm 67 so as to cause the latter to bring friction disk 11 into engagement with disk 33. As the motor 1 builds up, inasmuch as the shaft 29 is stationary, the dogs carried by the gear 37 will slip over the teeth on ratchet 32 and thus permit said gear 37 to rotate freely upon the shaft 29. Gear 37 being integrally formed with the friction disk 33 and the friction disk 1L1 being in contact with said disk 33, the rotary movement of gear 37 'will be transmitted to disk 41 which will in turn, through the instrumentality of the gear 76 keyed to shaft 77 and meshing with teeth 78 thereon, cause the rotation of the worm 82 also connected to shaft 77. As the worm 82 meshes with the bevel runway 81 on the drum 9, it will actuate-the latter and thereby cause the spring therein to be wound. reason of the mitering bevel gears 46 and 45 respectively, cause rotation of sleeve 47. lVhen the sleeve 17 revolves, it will cause the sleeve i9 to be brought into telescopic engagement therewith and since the flange 50 on the inner end of sleeve 49 is in engagement with the disk 58 keyed to shaft 57, said shaft will be brought to a retracted position and this actuation of shaft 57 will operate crank arm 67 to permit disk 11 under the influence of spring 42, to disengage disk 33'. When the shaft 57 has been actuated to its full retracted position, the disk 58 thereon will be engaged by shoulder 59 on the tripping lever 55. Inthis eonnection, it will be noted that the traction of shaft 57 will compress the spring 63 thereon so that when the tripping lever 55 is again released, said shaft may be actuated to bring the disks into engagement as hereinbefore stated.

It may some times transpire that the en gine after starting, will suddenly stop' before the shaft 57 has been retracted sufficiently to permit the disk d1 to disengage disk 43 in which instance, itis necessary to provide a means whereby shaft 57 may be retracted manually to permit disengagementof the disk and for this reason, it will be observed that I have connected shaft 57 with shaft 20 by means of connection 60. Therefore, when shaft 20 is actuated to release brake band 15, it will also actuate shaft 57 in case the-latter had not been automatically actuated by the engine.

From the foregoing, it will be obvious that I have provided a spring actuated mechanical starting mechanism which will be silent in operation. and always in readiness for instant use, and one which while conferring the benefits of the electric starting systems now on the market, overcomes many of the deficiencies of the latter.

Although by the foregoing, I have set Winding of the drum 9 will, by-

forth certain elements best adapted to perform the functions allotted to them, it is to be understood that various minor changes as to form, substance, etcL, maybe resorted to within the scope of the appended claims without departing from or sacrificing any of the principles of this invention. 7

I claimas my invention: 1. In a mechanical starter of the character described, the combination with anengine shaft, of an energy storing device, a rotatably mounted element operable thereby,

a pair of inner and outer friction disks dis:

posed upon said element and adapted to be brought into frictional engagement,..said outer disk being operatively connected with said engine shaft and having a detachable engagement with said rotary element, means controlled by the movement of said element to bring the inner friction disk into engagement withthe enter one, means connecting one of said diskswith-said energy storing device, and additionaluneans to permit disengagement of said disks, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

rotary element, means to normally maintain said disks in spaced relation, means controlled by the movement' of said rotary ele ment to bring said disks into engagement, means operable by one of said disks and connected with said energy storing device to restore energy to the latter, and means to 7 permit disengagement of said disks substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a mechanical starter of the character described the combination with an en gine shaft, of an energy storing device, a rotatably mounted element operated by; said device, a pair of friction disks disposed upon said rotary element and adapted to be brought into frictional engagement, a sprocket gear connected with one of said disks and operatively connected with said engine shaft, means providing a detachable connection between said sprocket gear and said rotary element, means interposed between said disks to normally maintain the latter in spaced relation, means governed by the rotary movement of said element to bring said disks into engagement, mechanism connecting one of said disks with said energy storing device to restore energy to the latter, and means to permit disengagement of said disks substantiallyas and for the purpose set forth. 7 V i 4.111 a mechanical starter of the characte r described, the combination with an engine shaft, of an energy storing device, a rotatably mounted element operable thereby, inner and outer friction disks disposed upon said element, a sprocket gear connected with said outer disk and operatively connected with said engine shaft, dogs carried by said gear, a ratchet disposed upon said rotary ele ment adapted to cooperate with said dogs whereby to provide a detachable connection between said element and gear, a spring interposed between said inner and outer disks to normally maintain the same in spaced relation, means governed by the rotary movement of said element to bring said inner disk into engagement with the outer one, mechanism connecting said storing device with said inner disk to restore energy to said device, and means to permit disengage ment of said disks substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. In a mechanical starter of the character described, the combination with an engine shaft, of an energy storing device, a rotatably mounted element operable thereby, inner and outer friction disks disposed upon said element and adapted to be brought into frictional engagement, means to normally hold said disks in spaced relation, a gear connected with said outer disk and operatively connected with said engine shaft, dogs carried by said gear, a ratchet on said rotary element to cooperate with said dogs and provide a detachable connection between said element and gear, means to bring said inner disk into engagement with said outer disk, a spring actuated shaft controlling said means, said shaft being normally inoperative, means controlled by the rotary movement of said element to release said spring actuated shaft, mechanism connecting said inner disk with said energy storing device whereby to restore energy to the latter, and means to permit disengagement of said disks substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

6. In a mechanical starter of the character described, the combination with an energy storing device, a rotatably mounted element operable thereby, inner and outer friction disks disposed upon said element and adapted to be brought into frictional engagement, a member connected with said outer disk and operatively connected with said engine shaft, means providing a detachable connection between said rotary element and said member, a crank arm operatively disposed forward of said inner disk and adapted when rotated to bring the latter into engagement with said outer disk, a spring interposed between said disks to normally maintain the latter in spaced relation, a spring actuated member connected with said crank arm to operate the latter, said member being normally inoperative, means tably mounted element operable thereby, in-

ner and outer friction disks disposed upon said element, a member connected with said outer disk and operatively connected with said engine shaft, means providing a detachable connection between said member and element, a spring interposed between said disks to normally maintain the latter in spaced relation, a crank arm disposed forward of said inner disk and adapted to bring the latter into engagement with said outer disk, a spring actuated shaft for operating said crank arm, a connection between said spring actuated shaft andcrank arm, a trigger mechanism to normally maintain said spring actuated shaft in an inoperative position, a sleeve movable horizontally along said rotary element and adapted to cooperate with said trigger mechanism to release the latter and permit said shaft to operate said crank arm and bring the inner disk into engagement with the outer one, means connecting said inner disk with said energy storing device whereby energy may be restored to the latter, and means to permit disengagement of said disks substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

8. In a mechanical starter of the character described, the combination with an engine shaft, of a rotatably mounted shaft, a casing disposed upon the latter, a spring within said casing having one extremity connected to said shaft, the other to said casing, a brake wheel keyed to said shaft, means to normally maintain said brake wheel in a fixed position, a driving shaft operatively connected with said spring actuated shaft, inner and outer friction disks disposed upon said driving shaft, a member connected with said outer friction disk, and operatively con).

nected with said engine shaft, means providing a detachable connection between said driving shaft and said member, a spring interposed between said disks to normally maintain the latter in spaced relation, means controlled by the rotary movement of the driving shaft whereby to bring said disks into engagement, a connection between said casing and inner disk whereby the rotary movement of the latter may be conveyed to said casing to wind said spring, and means to permit disengagement of said disks substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

9. In a mechanical starter of the character described, the combination with an engine shaft, of a spring actuated shaft, a drum disposed upon the latter, a spring within said drum having one end connected to said shaft, the other to said drum, a brake wheel keyed to said shaft, a brake band adapted to normally maintain said wheel in fixed position, a driving shaft operable by said spring actuated shaft, inner and outer friction disks disposed upon said driving shaft, a member connected with said outer disk and operatively connected with said engine shaft, means providing a detachable connection between said member and driving shaft, a spring interposed between said disks to normally maintain the latter in spaced relation, means controlled by the movement of said driving shaft to bring said friction disks into engagement, a beveled run-way circumscribing said drum, a worm meshing with said run-way, a rotatably mounted shaft connected to said worm, a gear upon said shaft operated by said innerdisk whereby the rotary movement of the latter may be conveyed to said 'drum to rotate the same and wind said spring, and means to permit disengagement of said disks substantially as and for the purposeset forth.

10. In a. mechanical starter of the character described, the combination with an engine shaft, of a spring actuated shaft, a drum disposed upon the latter, a spring within said drum having one end connected to said shaft, the other to said drum, a brake wheel keyed to said shaft, means to normally maintain said brake wheel in fixed position, a driving shaft operatively connected with said spring actuated shaft, a pair of inner and outer friction disks disposed upon said driving shaft, a spring interposed between said disks to normally maintain the latter in spaced relation, a member connected with the outer disk and operatively connected with said engine shaft, means providing a detachable connection between said memher and driving shaft, a beveled run-way formed on the outer face of said drum, a gear disposed upon said driving shaft and meshing with said beveled run-way, an externally threaded sleeve carried by said gear, an auxiliary sleeve threaded upon said firstmentioned sleeve, cooperating means on said driving shaft and auxiliary sleeve whereby the latter may be caused to be threaded on and off the first-mentioned sleeve, means controlled by the movement of said auxiliary sleeve to bring said inner diskinto and out of engagement with said outer disk, an operative connection between said drum and the inner disk whereby the rotary movement of the latter may be conveyed to said drum, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

11. In a mechanical starter of the characsaid spring actuated shaft, a driving shaft,

a gear at one end thereof meshing with the last referred to gear, inner and outer friction disks disposed upon said driving shaft, a spring interposed between said disks to normally maintain the latter in spaced relation, a sprocketv gear integrally formed with said outer disk and operatively connected with said engine shaft, dogs carried by said a gear, a ratchet keyed to the free extremity of said driving shaft and cooperating with said dogs whereby to provide a detachable connection between said gear and driving shaft, a crank arm disposed forward of said inner disk and adapted to actuate the latter into engagement with said outer disk, a reciprocating shaft connected with said crank arm to actuate the latter, spring means for actuating said shaft, a beveled run-way on the outer face of said drum, a gear carried by said driving shaft and meshing with said beveled run-way, an externally threaded sleeve carried by said gear, an auxiliary sleeve threaded upon said first-mentioned sleeve, cooperating means on said driving shaft and auxiliary sleeve whereby the lattermay be caused to be threaded on and off said first-mentioned sleeve, a trigger mechanism normally maintaining said reciproeating shaft in an inoperative position, means carried by said auxiliary sleeve to actuate said trigger mechanism, a connection between said drum and the inner disk wherebythe rotary movement of the latter may be conveyed to said drum, and means to release said disk substantially as and for the purpose set forth. 12. In a mechanical starter of the character described, the combination with an engine shaft, of a spring actuated shaft, a drum disposed thereon, a spring disposed within said drum and having one end connected to the latter, the other to said shaft, a brake wheel keyed to said spring actuating shaft, a brake band circumscribing said wheel .and having the extremities thereof outwardly projecting, means projecting through said outwardly extending ends of the brake band to normally maintain the latter in a contracted position, means to expand said band and permit rotation of said brake wheel, a rotating element operatively connected with said spring actuated shaft, inner and outer friction disks disposed upon said rotary element, a-spring interposed be tween said disks to normally maintain the latter in spaced relation, a gear connected with said outer disk and operatively connected with said engine shaft, means providing a detachable connection between said gear and rotary element, means controlled by the movement of said element to bring said inner disk into engagement with said outer disk, a connection between said inner disk and said drum whereby to wind the latter, and means to permit disengagement of said disks, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

13. In a mechanical starter of the character described, the combination with an engine shaft, of a spring actuated shaft, a drum disposed thereon, a spring within said drum having one end connected to the latter, the other to said shaft, a brake wheel keyed to said shaft, a brake band circumscribing said wheel, said band having the extremities thereof extended outwardly, bolts extending through the extended ends of said brake band, springs disposed upon said bolts to normally maintain said band in contracted position, a pivotally mounted shaft passing between the extended ends of said brake band, a block disposed upon said shaft and adapted when the latter is rotated to expand said brake band and release said brake wheel, a driving shaft operatively connected with said spring actuated shaft, inner and outer friction disks disposed upon said shaft, spring means to normally maintain said disks in spaced relation, a member integrally formed with said outer disk and operatively connected with said engine shaft, means providing a detachable connection between said member and driving shaft, a pivotally mounted crank arm adapted when rotated to actuate said inner disk, a reciproeating shaft having one end connected with said crank arm, a bearing for reciprocating the shaft, a disk disposed upon said reciprocating shaft, a spring interposed between said bearing and disk, cooperating means on said reciprocating shaft and the pivotally mounted shaft whereby the former may be actuated and said spring thereon compressed, a trigger mechanism adapted to engage said disk when said spring is in compressed condition, means controlled by the rotation of said driving shaft to actuate said trigger mechanism, a connection between said inner disk and said drum whereby the rotary movement of the former may be conveyed to the latter substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

14. In a mechanical starter of the character described, the combination with an energy storing device, a rotatably mounted element operable thereby, inner and outer friction disks disposed upon said element and adapted to be brought into frictional engagement, a member formed with said outer disk and operatively connected with said engine shaft, means providing a detachable connection between said rotary element and said member, a crank arm to actuate said inner disk, a spring interposed between said disks to normally maintain the latter in spaced relation, a spring actuated member connected with said crank arm to operate the latter, said member being normally inoperative, means controlled by the movement of said element to release said spring actuated member and permit the latter to operate said crank arm, means connecting said inner disk with said energy storing device to restore energy to the latter, and means to permit disengagement of said disks substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

15. In a mechanical starter of the character described, the combination with an energy storing device, a rotatably mounted element operable thereby, inner and outer friction disks disposed upon said element and adapted to be brought into frictional engagement, a member formed with said outer disk and operatively connected with said engine shaft, means providing a detachable connection between said rotary element and said member, a crank arm to actuate said inner disk, means to normally maintain said disks in spaced relation, a spring actuated member connected with said crank arm to operate the latter, said member being normally inoperative, means controlled by the movement of said element to release said spring actuated member and permit the latter to operate said crank arm, means connecting said inner disk with said energy storing device to restore energy to the latter, and means to permit disengagement of said disks substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

JOSEPH SEVERA.

Witnesses M. G. WILDE, HUso REAMER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

